Connie Perry Recipes- Chinese Sweet and Sour Sauce

Homemade Sweet & Sour Sauce

Skip the bottled sauce and make this easy Sweet & Sour Sauce right at home! It’s perfectly sweet, tangy, and full of flavor—the perfect dipping sauce or finishing touch for your favorite chicken, pork, egg rolls, and more.

Cook Time

Servings

Difficulty

Easy

Prep Time

5 Minutes

Ingredients

Make the Sweet & Sour Sauce
Add the granulated sugar, rice vinegar, ketchup, light soy sauce, pineapple or orange juice, and 2 tablespoons water to a medium saucepan.
Place the saucepan over medium heat.
Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved and the ingredients are well combined.
Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally.
Thicken the Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 1 tablespoon cold water until completely smooth.
Slowly pour the cornstarch slurry into the simmering sauce while stirring.
Continue cooking for 1–2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce is smooth, glossy, and thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
Cool & Serve
Remove the saucepan from the heat.
Allow the Sweet & Sour Sauce to cool before serving. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools, and the sweet and tangy flavors will come together.
Serve as a dipping sauce or spoon it over chicken, pork, egg rolls, rice, or your favorite Asian-inspired dishes.

RECIPE TIPS

Let the sauce cool before judging the flavor or thickness. It will thicken as it cools, and the sweet and tangy flavors balance out beautifully once it has had a few minutes to rest.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make Sweet & Sour Sauce ahead of time?

Yes. Make the sauce ahead of time, allow it to cool completely, then store it covered in the refrigerator until you're ready to use it.
Why does my Sweet & Sour Sauce thicken as it cools?

The cornstarch continues to set as the sauce cools, so the sauce will become thicker after you remove it from the heat.
What can I serve with Sweet & Sour Sauce?

It's delicious with chicken, pork, egg rolls, wontons, rice, or as a dipping sauce for your favorite Asian-inspired appetizers.
Can I reheat homemade Sweet & Sour Sauce?

Yes. Reheat it gently in a saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently. If it's thicker than you'd like, stir in a small splash of water, pineapple or orange juice.
What makes this Sweet & Sour Sauce different?

The pineapple or orange juice gives the sauce extra fruity sweetness that balances the rice vinegar, ketchup, and soy sauce for a sweet, tangy flavor.

□ ½ cup + 2 TBSP granulated sugar
□ ¼ cup + 1 TBSP + 1 tsp rice vinegar
□ ¼ cup ketchup
□ 2 TBSP light soy sauce
□ ½ cup + 2 TBSP pineapple or orange juice
□ 2 TBSP water
□ 1 TBSP cornstarch
□ 1 TBSP cold water, for the slurry